Harley
Davidson Hummer History

In 1948, Harley-Davidson released the Model
125, a small but sturdy two-stroke road machine
of 125cc displacement. After the war, America
was ready for economical transportation, and
the Model 125 was introduced to fill that need.
DKW RT-125

The Model 125's design was an adaptation of
the German DKW motorcycles whose engineering
designs were forfeited to the Allies as a part
of War Reparations at the conclusion of World
War II. In America, Harley-Davidson produced
the Model 125. In England, BSA made the Bantam.
The U.S.S.R, having control of what became East
Germany, also appropriated the DKW designs,
and made the Mockba M1A. In Japan, Yamaha also
got into the act with the YA-1.

The Model 125 put out a whopping three horsepower.
One of its more interesting features was a girder-type
front end whose suspension consisted of five
large rubber bands. In 1951, the rubber band
front end was replaced by a more conventional
hydraulic unit, the "Tele-Glide".
1953 Model 165

The Model 165 was introduced in 1953 as a replacement
for the Model 125. The larger engine size (165cc)
boosted horsepower to 5.5. And restyled sheetmetal
gave the Model 165 a much cleaner look than
its predecessor.

But the 125 wouldn't be out of the picture
for long. It was re-introduced in 1955 as the
economy model Hummer. Although the Hummer appeared
to be a stripped-down version of the 165, the
engine had been redesigned. This new "B"
model engine would see service through many
newer models. A 1955 Hummer weighed 178 pounds,
put out 3 1/2 horsepower and sold for $320 F.O.B.

In 1960, the Super-10 emerged, replacing both
the Hummer and Model 165. This new model sported
a 165cc engine, but it was the "B"
engine that had formerly been available in the
125cc Hummer. This would be the end of the road
for the Model 165s "S" engine.

Radical changes were in store for 1962. Three
models were available. The 165cc Ranger was
a stripped down back-woods version similar to
the Super-10, and was discontinued after only
one year's production. Rear suspension was incorporated
in the street Pacer and trailbike Scat, both
175cc versions of the "B" engine.

By 1966, Harley was hard-pressed to compete
with the Japanese invasion. The Sprint-series
had been introduced five years earlier and the
decision was made to shift small-bike production
to Italy. One model was produced in 1966, the
Bobcat, which sported an innovative fiberglass
"body" similar to the one used on
the first Superglides a few years later.

The Model 165 STU, produced from 1953
to 1959, had a carburetor with a restricted
intake port. The carburetors were designed
to be used on different sized engines,
and "tuned" for a specific application
by using an orifice plate with an opening
of the proper size for the application.
The STU's orifice plate had a smaller
opening than standard ST's therefore producing
a lower horsepower.

Image provided by www.tomgrayvintagecollectibles.com.

1959 Harley Davidson model 165

These are often mistaked for Hummers,
but the Hummers are 125 cc. This is the
big brother at 165 cc. It is a two stroke
hardtail motorcycle with a sprung saddle
and front telescopic forks. This bike
has the optional Hi Fi red paint that
is a metallic deep red. The wheel size
is 18". This bike is restored and everything
on her is correct for the 1959 year.